Virgin names next ultrafast areas

Virgin Media has revealed the next 10 areas of the UK that it will connect to ultrafast broadband. The 10 communities include four in Scotland as well as locations in Leicestershire, Dorset, Surrey, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire.

Virgin has committed to connect fibre broadband, capable of more than 1 Gbs, to at least a quarter of the 4m homes and businesses that are being added as customers as part of its “Project Lightning” expansion plans.

Virgin’s announcement comes as the government sees progress in its efforts to roll out superfast broadband to about 95 per cent of the UK by the end of 2017. The obligation, which has been in consultation for three months, was part of the government’s legislative agenda last week. As with other utilities, including voice calls, the scheme will probably be demand-led so that homes can request the service where necessary.

The next ultra fast communities are: Kirknewton in West Lothian; Houston, Crosslee, Craigends and Brookfield in Renfrewshire; Bridge of Weir, also in Renfrewshire; Ratby in Leicestershire; Wilsden in West Yorkshire; Kilmacolm in Inverclyde; Stoke Poges in Buckinghamshire; Lightwater in Surrey; Hartley Wintney and Phoenix Green in Hampshire; and Oakley in Dorset.